Has anyone found replacement fluid for the CVT yet in reasonable quantities? I know it was available in huge amounts at a huge cost...

 

http://www.promini.com/product-exec/...earch_model/99

Only place I could find it at less than 5-20 gallons.

 

Good God! $100 a gallon!?!?!??!?

Now that I think about it, Power steering fluid is also $25 a quart - do the math.......

 

Thank you!

 

Well, I guess this just got added to my Christmas list.. I have the CVT too and if anyone wants to enlighten me on what else i need to look out for, I would greatly appreciate it!!!

 

I recently purchased the 20 liter bottle (keg) of the EZL 799A fluid, and I can sell the rest that I don't need at $20/quart. You should buy 5 quarts to do a proper change, and you will have a little left over. I tried everywhere to find this fluid in small quanties, and it just isn't available despite some vendors web sites which might show it.

Want to take a chance on some other fluid? Not me. There are plenty of warnings about using another fluid, and no fluid maker claims that they have a replacement for the Esso EZL 799A fluid. Replacement of the CVT: about $7000 dollars. The CVT maker (ZF) recommended a change every 35K miles.

Anyway, I live at the north shore of Lake Tahoe, if somebody wants to stop by. Also, I sometimes come down to Sacramento and environs, so we could meet. Send me a private message if you are interested. I will post again if it is all gone. Send me an email to make arrangements and exchange phone numbers. I can also give you advice about how to do this job, because I also did the filter and that's a lot harder than just the fluid.
====
Ron

 

Nippon oil makes a CVT oil called ENEOS which their product lit insists is the ticket for ALL metal-belt CVTs. At $ 8.00/liter, it's an attractive alternative.
However, I don't have personal, long-term experience to back it up, but it was suggested by MINI sppecialists Detroit Tune, FWIW.

 

It looks like I can ship the CVT fluid via UPS ground. I am dividing my 20L keg into 4.5 quart containers. 4.5 will be enough for a complete change. If you are interested, the cost would be $90 for the fluid and about $15-20 for shipping. Let me know before Oct. 20th when I'll put it on ebay.